Bed Bath & Beyond executive says company won’t open any California stores
Bed Bath & Beyond enthusiasts in California will have to satisfy their shopping needs online as the retail giant has announced that it will not be opening any stores in the Golden State. The decision was made by Marcus Lemonis, the executive chairman of Bed Bath & Beyond, citing the challenging business environment in California.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Lemonis expressed his concerns about the overregulated, expensive, and risky nature of doing business in California. He emphasized that the state’s policies make it difficult for retailers to operate, employ people, and deliver value to customers. Lemonis clarified that the decision is based on practical considerations rather than political motives.
This announcement comes on the heels of the Brand House Collective’s recent launch of the first Bed Bath & Beyond Home store in Nashville. The specialty retailer, which manages the Bed Bath & Beyond brand, decided to rebrand the store and honor legacy coupons, a hallmark of the Bed Bath & Beyond experience. The company plans to open four more Bed Bath & Beyond Home stores in the Nashville area and expand to other markets with a curated, smaller format.
As part of their expansion strategy, the Brand House Collective intends to convert most of their existing Kirkland’s stores into Bed Bath & Beyond locations. However, the company has no plans to enter the California market due to the current business landscape. Amy Sullivan, a spokesperson for the Brand House Collective, highlighted the importance of aligning with customer needs and business viability before expanding into new territories.
Kirkland’s, originally based in Nashville, rebranded as the Brand House Collective in July to focus on accelerating brand conversions and utilizing the Bed Bath & Beyond, Overstock, and buybuy BABY brands. While the company remains committed to bringing the Bed Bath & Beyond brand to more cities, California is not on their roadmap until conditions change.
